Board questions more expenditures from jail

The White County Board and White County Sheriff Doug Maier had a spirited exchange during the board's regular meeting Tuesday night over more expenditures by the sheriff for the City-County Jail.

At issue has been an ongoing upgrade of the jail's electrical system that was declared an emergency and, therefore, not opened to the usual bid process for the work. The price tag of the work has now approached $100,000 and has raised questions from members of the county board as well as the Carmi City Council, which pays half the expenses at the jail.

Braden Willis

The White County Board and White County Sheriff Doug Maier had a spirited exchange during the board's regular meeting Tuesday night over more expenditures by the sheriff for the City-County Jail.

At issue has been an ongoing upgrade of the jail's electrical system that was declared an emergency and, therefore, not opened to the usual bid process for the work. The price tag of the work has now approached $100,000 and has raised questions from members of the county board as well as the Carmi City Council, which pays half the expenses at the jail.

Carmi Alderman Tim Pollard as well as county board member Mike Ray questioned the emergency status of the repair work and openly complained they were not informed of the work prior to its beginning, which caused them to be left in the dark when questioned about the work by members of their respective constituencies.

The exchange began Tuesday night when board Chairman Wes Trout and Ray questioned a $400 expenditure for laundry bags and a $1,700 expenditure for mattresses and laundry nets, as well as a toilet that cost more than $2,000.

County Clerk Paula Dozier produced the invoices of the bills in question. It turned out there was more to the bills on the invoices than what was listed on the county members' reports of expenditures, i.e., the report the members had listed only laundry nets at $1,700 when, on the actual invoice, there were other expenditures on the same check for mattresses and the toilet cost also involved labor to repair a valve.

Ray asked if these items were an emergency and Trout wondered aloud why only one plumber, L&L or One Hour, were on the invoices.

"I would like to see another plumber's name," Trout said, adding he wanted to see county money "spread around a little" to some of the other local businesses.

Board member Kenny Usery added that One Hour was now based in Evansville, Ind., and should no longer be considered a "local" business.

"If I could get someone to come when I needed them, I would be glad to use them," Maier shot back. He then addressed Ray's question and pointed out the last lawsuit filed against the county came from the jail when an inmate slipped on a wet floor due to flooding caused by a plumbing problem. So, in his opinion, plumbing problems have to be addressed quickly.

Some of the board also complained about a bill of more than $600 for a thermostat. Maier explained the thermostat itself did not cost that much. He said the hourly labor rate for being called out was $79 per hour and the cost included rewiring a disconnect on the roof.

Trout then recommended that when an 'emergency' expenditure must be made in the future, elected officials should contact him ASAP so he can either contact the other board members himself or call a special meeting to discuss whether or not the situation is an 'emergency'. He also said part of the problem with the electrical upgrade work was most of the board and the Carmi City Council were not informed of the work.

Maier explained the process he used to proceed with the work. He named at least three incidents when three separate breaker panels at the jail malfunctioned. In one instance, large sparks flew across the dispatching center. In another, a breaker got hot enough to weld itself to metal inside the breaker box.

While Ray pointed out the problems had been occurring for some time, Maier countered it was his responsibility to ensure the safety of his staff and the inmates and to keep costs down when possible.

If he had went through the normal bidding process, Maier said he would have had to have all the nearly 100 inmates transferred to other facilities until the process was completed. If another malfunction occurred in the dispatch center, communications for all the county's police, fire and ambulance services could have been interrupted, creating "chaos" for the county.

And, if the malfunctioning electric system had led to an injury or death of staff or an inmate, he would then be reporting to the board about the loss and the eventual lawsuit to follow.

Maier said he determined there was problem, met with the jail committee and explained the problems to them. They then toured the facility and agreed with Maier the work needed to proceed.

Maier told the board he did what he thought he was supposed to do in the circumstances that were presented. He also expressed chagrin that the jail generates about $1 million in annual revenue for the county's general fund but that is "never an issue" with anyone.

He also commented that no one came into his office to ask any questions and instead, like one unidentified local contractor, went instead to the media and asked questions.

Maier also pointed out to Ray that he is the chairman of the safety committee and during a tour of the jail a few years ago he noted a cracked electrical outlet cover and demanded it be replaced immediately due to safety concerns.

"Safe environments are needed," Ray said. "I have no objections to improving safety. The issue related to L&L or One Hour Heating is there are local electrical and plumbing contractors [that feel left out] and we get our ears bent if they are excluded."

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